Snow scoop

ABSTRACT

An open-ended snow scoop or bucket with a convex ground engaging surface is pivotally connected between a pair of mounting arms which extend forwardly from a curved frame. The bucket is pivoted about an axis behind its center of gravity so that when the frame is rocked back and forth, the bucket will pivot between a loading position in which snow can be scooped up by the bucket and a dumping position in which snow will be dumped from the bucket. A pair of handles extend upwardly and rearwardly from the curved portion of the frame, each handle being pivoted to the frame about a substantially vertical axis. Latch members are attached to the bottom of the handles and contact latch arms which project rearwardly from the bucket for normally latching the bucket in its loading position. The bucket can be unlatched to free it for movement to the dumping position by rotating the handles outwardly and forwardly to a frontal position in which the frame can be conveniently rocked back to cause the bucket to pivot to its dumping position. The movement of the bucket toward its dumping position is limited by an expansion spring connected between the frame and the back of the bucket. The spring causes the bucket to oscillate about its dumping position to help shake the snow therein loose for dumping.

United States Patent [1 1 Hollnagel 1 Dec. 2,1975

1 1 SNOW SCOOP [76] Inventor: Arnold A. Hollnagel, Rte. 4, Box

396, Fort Atkinson, Wis. 53538 [22] Filed: Jan. 17, 1975 [21] Appl. No.: 541,916

[52] US. Cl. 294/54; 37/53; 280/4737;

298/2 [51] Int. Cl. ..E01H 5/02; B62B 1/16 [58] Field of Search 294/54, 55, 57, 58;

Primary Examiner-John J. Love Assistant Examiner.lohnny D. Cherry Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Wheeler, Morsell, House & Fuller [57] ABSTRACT An open-ended snow scoop or bucket with a convex ground engaging surface is pivotally connected between a pair of mounting arms which extend forwardly from a curved frame. The bucket is pivoted about an axis behind its center of gravity so that when the frame is rocked back and forth, the bucket will pivot between a loading position in which snow can be scooped up by the bucket and a dumping position in which snow will be dumped from the bucket. A pair of handles extend upwardly and rearwardly from the curved portion of the frame, each handle being pivoted to the frame about a substantially vertical axis. Latch members are attached to the bottom of the handles and contact latch arms which project rearwardly from the bucket for normally latching the bucket in its loading position. The bucket can be unlatched to free it for movement to the dumping position by rotating the handles outwardly and forwardly to a frontal position in which the frame can be conveniently rocked back to cause the bucket to pivot to its dumping position. The movement of the bucket toward its dumping position is limited by an expansion spring connected between the frame and the back of the bucket The spring causes the bucket to oscillate about its dumping position to help shake the snow therein loose for dumping.

8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures Sheet 1 of 2 3,923,331

U.S. Patent Dec. 2, 1975 US. Patent Dec. 2, 1975 Sheet 2 of2 3,923,331

SNOW SCOOP BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to snow scoops for removing snow from sidewalks and driveways. Typical prior art snow scoops are disclosed in US. Pat. Nos. 2,895,238 to Long; 3,154,336 to Nelson and 3,028,695 to Westby. These patents disclose open-ended scoops or buckets that can be pivoted between a loading position in which snow is scooped up by the bucket 8. 11(1)]. dumping position in which snow is dumped from the bucket. However, in these prior snow scoops, the means for pivoting the buckets between their loading and dumping positions is awkward and hard to handle. In order to dump the bucket of the Long device one part of a divisible handle must be raised almost to a vertical position while the other part is lowered below a horizontal position. In the Westby device, the handle portion must be lowered almost to the ground to dump the bucket. In the Nelson device, two loose handles have to be engaged and then disengaged in a series of notches to dump the bucket.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention has a more effective and more convenient means for dumping the bucket. In the snow scoop of this invention, the frame includes a curved portion that can be rocked on an underlying surface and also includes a pair of mounting arms extending forwardly from the curved frame portion. An open-ended snow scoop or bucket is pivotally connected between the mounting arms on a pivotal axis which lies behind the buckets center of gravity so that rocking the frame will cause the bucket to pivot between a loading position in which snow can be scooped up by the bucket and a dumping position in which snow will be dumped from the bucket. A pair of handles extend upwardly and rearwardly from the curved portion of the frame, each handle being pivoted to the frame about a substantially vertical axis. Latch members are preferably attached to the handles and contact latch arms which project rearwardly from the bucket for normally latching the bucket in its loading position. The bucket can be unlatched to free it for movement to the dumping position by rotating the handles outwardly and forwardly to a frontal position in which the frame can be conveniently rocked back to cause the bucket to pivot to its dumping position. While the handles are in the unlatching position, rocking the frame back raises the ends of the handles to keep them within easy reach of the operator. The movement of the bucket toward its dumping position is preferably limited by an expansion spring connected between the frame and the back of the bucket. The spring causes the bucket to oscillate about its dumping position to help shake the snow therein loose for dumping.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the handles thereof partially cut away.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the handles thereof turned to the frontal position and the frame thereof rocked back to tilt the bucket thereof forwardly to its dumping position.

FIG. 5 is a detail longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 55 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structure. While the best known embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the illustrated embodiment has a frame which includes two tubular metal side members 10 which are curved through at 12 and which have forwardly extending portions 14 that are flattened at 16 to form mounting arms. Side members 10 are joined together in spaced parallel relationship at their upper ends by a metal cross brace 18 which is welded to side members 10. An open-ended scoop or bucket 20 is pivotally connected between arms 16 about a pivotal axis 22 (FIG. 3) which is located to the rear of the center of gravity 24 (FIG. 3) for bucket 20. Two pivot pins 26 may be welded to the bottom side edges of bucket 20 extending along pivotal axis 22. Pivot pins 26 pivotally engage holes 28 (FIG. 3) in mounting arms 16 and remain engaged with pivot pins 26 due to the stiffness of mounting arms 16.

A metal convex dish 30 (FIGS. 1 and 3) is attached to the bottom of bucket 20 to serve as a low friction support therefore both over snow or on a hard surface. Wide curved runners 32 are attached to the bottom portion 14 of the frame and have a curved portion 34 which underlies curved tubular member 12. Runners 32 provide a relatively large bearing surface for supporting the frame on snow. The bearing surface area can be increased if desired by using a wide runner that extends continuously between frame portions 10 in place of the two runners 32. The frame can be rocked back and forth on curved runner portions 34 as shown in FIG. 4 to cause bucket 20 to pivot between its loading position (FIG. 1) and its dumping position (FIG. 4).

A pair of tubular metal handle rods 36 are pivotally held within the interior of tubular side members 10 as shown in FIG. 5 and can be pivoted about the vertical axis of side members 10. Each handle rod 36 is curved at 38 and has a rearwardly extending handle portion 40 which carries handle grips 42. A pair of latch pins 44 (FIG. 5) extend through handle rods 36 and bear on the top of bearing caps 46 which are screwed to the top of side members 10. Bearing caps 46 have a central opening for receiving handle rods 36. The outside diameter of handle rods 36 is slightly smaller than the inside diameter of tubular side members 10 to permit handle rods 36 to rotate freely about the axis if their respective side members 10 for the purpose of unlatching bucket 20 and moving handles 40 to the frontal position shown in FIG. 4.

A pair of curved latch arms 48 (FIGS. 1 and 2) are attached to the rear of bucket 20 and extend upwardly and rearwardly to a position below the latch pins 44. In the normal rearward position of handles 40 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3), latch pins 44 engage latch arms 48 to prevent bucket 20 from pivoting up to its dumping position (FIG. 4). Other forms of latch may be used and actuated by the pivoting handles 40. This permits the scoop to be moved and rocked with the frame and handles while the bucket is held latched in the loading position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. After bucket 20 has been filled with snow, and has been pushed or turned on dish 30 to the spot where the snow is to be dumped. bucket 20 can be unlatched for dumping by rotating handles 40 outwardly away from each other until they reach the frontal position shown in FIG. 4, in the process, disengaging latch pins 44 from latch arms 48, and permitting the bucket 20 to tilt forward when raised. The frame is then rocked back on the curved portions 34 of runners 32, which causes bucket 20 to pivot forwardly due to the fact that its center of gravity 24 (FIG. 3) is in front of the pivot axis 22 (FIG. 3) about which bucket 20 is pivoted. The forward pivotal movement of bucket 20 toward its dumping position is limited by a cable 50 or the like and preferably an expansion spring 52, which are connected between the back of bucket 20 and the center of cross brace 18. When bucket 20 reaches its dumping position (FIG. 4), it stretches spring 52, which causes bucket 20 to oscillate about its dumping position and helps shake loose the snow within bucket 20.

It should be noted that the frontal position of handles 40 puts them in a higher comfortable position when the frame is being rocked back to dump bucket 20. If the handles 40 were to remain in their rearward position, the user would have to bend over until his hands almost touched the ground in order to dump bucket 20. With handles 40 in the frontal position shown in FIG. 4, the user can rock the frame back to the dumping position without even bending over. This makes the snow scoop of this invention exceptionally easy to use.

To limit the rotation of handles 40 both in their rearward position and frontal position, a tubular stop member 54 (FIG. 2) is attached to each latch pin 44 and extends downwardly therefrom to abut against cross brace 18 as best shown in FIG. 3. In the rearward position of handles 40, stop member 54 abuts against an inside portion of cross brace 18 as shown by the solid lines in FIG. 3. In the frontal position of handles 40, stop member 54 abuts against the outer ends 56 of cross brace 18 as shown by the dashed lines in FIG. 3. A latch pin 55 extends through the bottom portion of stop member 54 and passes beneath the bottom edge of cross brace 18 to keep handles 36 from being withdrawn from side members 10 both in the rear position of handles 36 (FIG. 1) and in the frontal position (FIG. 4).

I claim:

1. A snow scoop comprising a frame which includes a curved portion that can be rocked on an underlying surface, a pair of mounting arms extending forwardly from said curved portion, an open ended bucket pivotally connected between said mounting arms on a pivotal axis which lies behind the buckets center of gravity, whereby rocking of said frame on the curved portion thereof causes said bucket to pivot between a loading position in which snow can be scooped up by said bucket and a dumping position in which snow will be dumped from said bucket, a pair of handles vertically pivotally attached to said frame and pivotable between a rear position and a frontal position, and cooperating latch means attached to said handles and said bucket for latching said bucket in its loading position when said handles are in their rear position and for unlatching said bucket for movement to its dumping position when said handles are moved to their frontal position.

2. The snow scoop of claim 1 and further comprising a convex dish attached to the bottom of said bucket to serve as a low friction support therefore.

3. The snow scoop of claim 1 and further comprising an expansion spring connected between said bucket and said frame for limiting the movement of said bucket toward its dumping position to cause said bucket to oscillate about its dumping position to help shake loose the snow therein.

4. The snow scoop of claim 1 wherein said frame includes a pair of upstanding tubular side members, and wherein said handles include vertical portions which are pivotally contained within the interior of said side members and are pivotable about the axis of said side members.

5. The snow scoop of claim 4 wherein said latch means includes a pair of latch pins projecting transversely from the vertical portions of said handles and a pair of latch arms attached to the back of said bucket and positioned to abut against said latch pins when said bucket is in its loading position and said handles are in their rear position to latch said bucket in its loading position.

6. The snow scoop of claim 5 wherein said frame includes a cross brace attached to the tops of said side members and extending therebetween, and a stop member attached to each latch pin and extending downwardly therefrom to abut against said cross brace when said handles are in their rear position and frontal position to limit the rotation of said handles toward their rear position and frontal positions.

7. The snow scoop of claim 4 wherein said side members are curved at a angle and extend forwardly to form said mounting arms.

8. The snow scoop of claim 7 and further comprising upwardly curved runners attached to the bottom of said mounting arms, the curved portion of said runners underlying the curved portion of said side members. 

1. A snow scoop comprising a frame which includes a curved portion that can be rocked on an underlying surface, a pair of mounting arms extending forwardly from said curved portion, an open ended bucket pivotally connected between said mounting arms on a pivotal axis which lies behind the bucket''s center of gravity, whereby rocking of said frame on the curved portion thereof causes said bucket to pivot between a loading position in which snow can be scooped up by said bucket and a dumping position in which snow will be dumped from said bucket, a pair of handles vertically pivotally attached to said frame and pivotable between a rear position and a frontal position, and cooperating latch means attached to said handles and said bucket for latching said bucket in its loading position when said handles are in their rear position and for unlatching said bucket for movement to its dumping position when said handles are moved to their frontal position.
 2. The snow scoop of claim 1 and further comprising a convex dish attached to the bottom of said bucket to serve as a low friction support therefore.
 3. The snow scoop of claim 1 and further comprising an expansion spring connected between said bucket and said frame for limiting the movement of said bucket toward its dumping position to cause said bucket to oscillate about its dumping position to help shake loose the snow therein.
 4. The snow scoop of claim 1 wherein said frame includes a pair of upstanding tubular side members, and wherein said handles include vertical portions which are pivotally contained within the interior of said side members and are pivotable about the axis of said side members.
 5. The snow scoop of claim 4 wherein said latch means includes a pair of latch pins projecting transversely from the vertical portions of said handles and a pair of latch arms attached to the back of said bucket and positioned to abut against said latch pins when said bucket is in its loading position and said handles are in their rear position to latch said bucket in its loading position.
 6. The snow scoop of claim 5 wherein said frame includes a cross brace attached to the tops of said side members and extending therebetween, and a stop member attached to each latch pin and extending downwardly therefrom to abut against said cross brace when said handles are in their rear position and frontal position to limit the rotation of said handles toward their rear position and frontal positions.
 7. The snow scoop of claim 4 wherein said side members are curved at a 90* angle and extend forwardly to form said mounting arms.
 8. The snow scoop of claim 7 and further comprising upwardly curved runners attached to the bottom of said mounting arms, the curved portion of said runners underlying the curved portion of said side members. 